My passion and goal have always been to be a better version of myself every day
Pooja Bellara Singh
A successful woman from the Human Resources profession, coach, mentor, model; introducing Pooja Bellara Singh to Corporate Impact magazine. Pooja did her MBA degree and established her career in Human Resources. Pooja was born and brought up in Mumbai, India, and currently lives in the United States.
In an interview with Corporate Impact, Pooja mentioned her journey from Human resources to becoming Mrs Universe West Coast United States 2024.
We would like to know about your journey from HR professional to being the Mrs Universe, West Coast USA 2024?
I do believe brave are the people who follow their hearts, I followed my heart and took a chance in life to fulfill my dream. Beauty pageants always inspired and excited me while growing up and my perspective enhanced as I realized the valuable difference I can make for other women if I win the title. With the love and support of those around me, I seized the opportunity to participate in the pageant, I immersed myself working hard towards my passion. I do believe great dreams begin with our own desires. The journey to uncovering genuine passion is to start where you are and use what you have. As an HR professional, I embrace my special talent of people connection and decided to follow my heart of pursing my dream to becoming the “Mrs Universe, West Coast USA 2024” and I am thrilled to represent both the USA and India at the “Mrs. Universe” pageant in South Korea in October 2024.
As a runway model for global designers in New York and Milan, you have had the opportunity to work with some of the best in the industry. Can you share a particularly memorable experience and lesson learned from this entire experience?
Walking for renowned designers as a runway model was a special feeling. New York has been a dream of mine, when I walked into the runway, I was speechless. It matched my expectations and vision exactly. The colors, lights, music, and layout created an infectious energy. My favorite moments by far were watching the smiles on the model’s faces and the confidence they exuded on the runway.
Fashion clothing can empower people of all abilities and diverse body types with confidence and style. Seeing all shapes, sizes and abilities strutted down the runway representing true diversity in all its forms in New York.
A picture is worth a thousand words, so I thought I would share some of my favorite moments from the fashion show with you in photographs. Some highlights include seeing me on a ginormous billboard in Times Square in NY.
Milan Fashion show beckons me to its glamorous embrace. It is the birthplace of iconic fashions houses with a culmination of creativity, glamour, and groundbreaking designs. Walking for Label Nimisha whose creations was graced with the Floral 3D collection launch.
I got an opportunity to connect with people from different backgrounds and experiences. We talked a lot about class, luxury and craftsmanship and how an extensive background builds brand identity and attracts more people, but going to Milan made me realize there is a story behind every luxury good. The trip to Milan was a significant experience that exposed me to the world of luxury brands and allowed me to appreciate their purpose better.
You are the recipient of Women Empowerment Award 2024 from Diana Hayden, Miss World 1997, does this achievement come with a responsibility?
I believe the foremost step towards empowerment is to create strength and to conquer limiting beliefs. There is no limit to what a woman, can accomplish. The future is up for grabs, it belongs to any and all who will take the risk and accept the responsibility of consciously creating the future they want. When women believe in their own abilities, they understand their self -worth, it empowers them to achieve anything they aspire to. To make it happen, the first step is mentoring women to believe Life begins to change the day when one takes responsibility for it. Creating path for women with the right networks, helping them understand their own strengths and fostering women to believe that financial independence is crucial for their empowerment.
As an HR professional, you have a unique perspective on the importance of empowerment at the workplace. How do you think organizations can better support and empower women, and what initiatives have you seen be most effective?
Empowering women in organizations isn’t a mere trend — it’s a need, and more importantly, a responsibility we all share. Empowering women is foundational to creating more inclusive communities. Having contributed in various roles across the Human resource spectrum, I have been able to gather a fairly unique view across multiple firms. Some initiatives that I have seen create immense impact are creating a safe and harassment free workspace, secondly, creating a level playing field for women to get opportunities alongside their male counterparts, thirdly it is important to drive parity in pay structures and grades. We need to ensure support for women before and after childbirth. Building a culture of inclusion drives better business outcomes. Some of the other most effective initiatives are creating networking opportunities for women across the globe, career development programs for female employees, and mentoring opportunities. While there are many initiatives workplaces can do to drive empowerment and support for women, the key is to not treat women as less impactful.
How women can achieve success in fashion and lifestyle along with their main career facing multiple problems in day to day life?
I do believe in “Living Mindfully”, a Balanced life. Just like how a circus performer juggling multiple balls, some are made of rubber and will bounce back if they fall, while others are made of glass and will shatter if they break. Our lives are like this juggling act, and we must identify our glass balls — the non-negotiables that we cannot afford to let drop. These are our health, relationships, and passions — the things that make us feel whole and complete.
There is a desire to have it all success in our careers, time with family, and self-care. We need to perfect the art of juggling the different domains by recognizing that certain balls will be in the air at times while others will be in our palms. A time for everything and everything in its time!
We can keep all the balls from falling if we steady ourselves and give each one the attention it deserves. We can keep all the balls from falling if we live mindfully wherever we find ourselves at work or with family. We can keep all the balls from falling if we focus on finding the right balance that works for us rather than achieving a perfect balance. Juggling roles as a daughter, mother, wife, HR professional, model and influencer comes with finding the right balance.
Do tell us about what keeps you fit and energetic?
I have an organized schedule, it’s important to create a daily schedule for each day in advance. Fitness is extremely important to me; I really focus on weight training with an hour of cardio and then a half hour of weight resistance exercises every day except for Sundays. Staying fit and energetic involves a holistic approach that begins with proper nutrition and fueling your body. Proper nutrition is necessary for healthy eating along with adequate hydration. I do believe beauty radiates from inside out.
You are an icon of women empowerment with multiple achievements. What is actual empowerment?
My passion and goal have always been to be a better version of myself every day. I aspire to instill and inspire this passion and inspiration for future generations. This platform will provide me an opportunity to ignite the passion in many other women who have a desire to pursue their dream but were hindered by limited opportunities.
How has marriage influenced your lifestyle, and how do you balance personal, professional, and passionate pursuits in your daily schedule?
I consider myself as fortunate to have a supportive spouse acting as a pillar of strength. Abhinav Singh has provided unwavering support, he is my critic, coach, photographer and have always encouraged me to pursue my dream hence it makes it easy to pursue personal, professional and passionate pursuits.
Which is your personal favorite attire? Who is your favorite costume designer?
Growing up in Mumbai, I always had opportunity to explore different attires and designs. My personal attire is to be unique with a combination of fashion that is trendy that encapsulates me as who I am. My style category is trendy and I love to try new trends, and I tend to gravitate towards sparkle and glitter. Embracing walking for renowned designer Label Nimisha and global designers has been a blissful journey.
Mental health is major issue in today’s hi tech life. What are the basic reasons you see in this regard?
Mind is a powerful tool and filling with positive thoughts, life starts to change. Building a Positive Mindset is the key to living a good life. One of the global issues in society is ‘Working towards just not a healthy body but a healthy mind.’ I have noticed that most of us go through similar issues in life which can cause stress and impact mental health. To make a difference, I post daily inspirations on social media through my own life experiences on how to live life with a positive mindset and how to let go of experiences that cause negativity so that everyone can balance their body, soul and mind.
What do you have to say about your parents?
Of all the gifts that life has to offer a loving Mother and father is the greatest gifts. I am eternally grateful to my mom and dad. I grew up in Mumbai and I had a simple upbringing. My mother Hansa Bellara and father Deepak Bellara are my courage, strength, and has always supported my dreams. They have always taught me to get up when you fall, and never give up. They have always encouraged me to accomplish my goals. I owe them my life and I vow to continue making them proud.
Please tell us about your future goals?
I will continue to motivate, inspire others through this platform who have erased their dreams, I aim to focus on motivating others to believe “The Future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams”.
As a global ambassador, my goal is to become a spokesperson who can create a valuable difference in life others. I would like to create awareness of Domestic Violence and provide strength to the victims of Domestic Violence. I plan to collaborate with organizations, brands, and build a strong network to help in the community.
My goal is to continue and uphold the legacy of the former Mrs. Universe title, making myself and my country where I was born INDIA, and where I am at present USA both proud of me.
How do you handle criticism?
I was criticized by many friends, relatives that I should not take part in the pageant .I do believe women are often led down by most closest friends , relatives and are often discouraged through criticism. I had set my mind to pursue my dream and feel strongly that as women we should not allow anyone else to come in the middle of our ambition. Today, those same critics celebrate my success.
Which is your favorite quote?
The Future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
A Winner is a Dreamer who never gives up.
Create the highest, grandest vision possible for your life, because you become what you Believe.